The Manufacturing Extension Partnership of Louisiana (MEPOL) is the statewide MEP National Network Center established to serve Louisiana manufacturers, whose primary goals are to narrow the workforce gap, mitigate supply chain vulnerabilities and leverage technology. We are hosted by the Louisiana Additive Manufacturing Association (LAMA) and work collaboratively to give manufacturers the best opportunity for assisting them in success. 

We have experts in-house, as well as a multitude of vetted third-party providers, industry representatives, and other members of the manufacturing community that we use to strengthen and empower both Louisiana manufacturing and US manufacturing. We use our knowledge, industry connections and resources to benefit the manufacturing ecosystem by providing a full range of services that focus on productivity, profitability and manufacturing success.

Established in 1997, MEPOL is partially funded by a cooperative agreement with the Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP).

Owner, Solutions for Business, Inc.

Board Member

Ed Dauphin originally started his banking career in Lafayette, Louisiana, with a combination of operations and commercial lending experience and built a reputation that afforded him the opportunity to turnaround a failed bank bought from the FDIC by a group of investors. As President, he quickly transformed Louisiana Delta Bank into a high-performance bank. Dauphin exceeded investor goals through developing updated operational systems, reducing operational cost through the implementation of technology, and acquiring a large agricultural loan portfolio. In 1997, he assumed the role of CFO of the holding company, which owned Louisiana Delta Bank, other banks and loan related businesses.

Being at the helm of Louisiana Delta Bank and leading the Chamber of Commerce of that area for many years afforded him the opportunity to work closely with business owners in Northeast Louisiana. He soon recognized that a majority of entrepreneurs of privately held companies had a need for a Part-Time CFO or Business Coach to assist with financial and management issues. Assisting entrepreneurs in their visions to further grow their companies became his passion and his consulting career began.

Since moving back to Lafayette in 1998, Dauphin has focused on providing part-time CFO services and executive level business coaching to Louisiana entrepreneurs. In addition to his own client base, he has been a third-party consultant providing services to the clients of the Small Business Development Center in Lafayette and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership of Louisiana for over 10 years. He has also been a member of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership of Louisiana Industrial Advisory Board since 2000 (retiring from that board in 2010 and returning in 2014) and served as its Chairman for 3 years.

Vice President and General Manager, Module X Solutions

Chairman

After graduation from Texas A&M and working for several years at the Western Electric manufacturing plant in Shreveport, Jim transferred to corporate headquarters with AT&T in New Jersey as a member of the company’s Leadership Continuity Program. His “Bell System” telecommunications career came full circle in the late 1990’s when he transferred back to Shreveport, ultimately becoming the Lucent Technologies and Avaya local Plant Manager. The automotive boom in the 2000’s saw Jim launch a greenfield GM supplier location in Shreveport for privately held Android Industries. During his 9 years with “Ai-Shreveport” he expanded his scope to include operations in Arlington, Texas and Mexico, launching another greenfield location in Toluca, near Mexico City.

In 2009 opportunity came calling via CellXion in Bossier City with a chance to rejoin the telecommunications industry. As the Executive Vice President and General Manager of Sabre Building Systems by CellXion, a division of Sabre Industries, Inc. headquartered in Alvarado, Texas, Jim led his team through a period of significant diversification and growth beyond the telecommunications industry.

In 2014 Jim joined a small group of local businessmen with a vision to grow manufacturing jobs in Louisiana, and Module X Solutions was launched. Currently, Jim is the Vice President and General Manager of Module X Solutions and Module X Oldcastle. These companies provide integrated modular building solutions to several industries and the United States Government.
Throughout his career, Jim has served on various boards and volunteered with several economic development and community organizations. He is currently recognized as a Louisiana Ambassador for Louisiana Economic Development, is the Chairman of the Industrial Advisory Board for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership of Louisiana, and has previously served on the board of directors of the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce.

Jim is married to Kimberly, also a Texas A&M graduate and a local florist, and they have one daughter, Danielle, who is a graduate of Ole Miss and works in marketing and communications through her firm.

Owner, Best Bolt & Nut

Board Member

Al Herrera is Vice President of IPS of Louisiana Corp.  and serves as President for its division Best Bolt and Nut, IPS Properties and IPS BBN.  Mr. Herrera was employed with Ford Motor Company after receiving his degree in Finance from the University of New Orleans.  During his time at Ford Motor Company, Mr. Herrera  was instrumental in the opening and development of Ford Motor Credit’s Customer Service Center in Omaha, Nebraska.  This was the first National Customer Service Center opened by any Financial Institution. 

Mr. Herrera joined IPS Corp in 1997 and has been instrumental in the company’s growth through increased sales and acquisitions.    From its founding, IPS Corp, continues to serve international and national clients through the dedication and loyalty of its employees.  Mr. Herrera received awards from SBA, United States Corps of Engineer, and Department of Entergy from projects IPS has commendably completed.   He has led the company to its increased diversification of clients and product lines along with establishing IPS’ manufacturing capabilities.

Al  is a Commissioner for Regional Transit Authority New Orleans and serves as the Chair of the Finance Committee.  He serves on several boards including the University of New Orleans Foundation Board, Manufacturing Extension Partnership of Louisiana and South Shore Harbor Marina.   He has served as President of the University of New Orleans Alumni Association and continues to contribute his time and efforts to the association.   He serves as a member of the Fix the Debt national committee, UNO Presidential selection committee and local charitable associations.  He has been a speaker for SBA, PTAC and continues to provide his expertise and knowledge to several organizations and individuals.

Mr. Herrera was born in Veracruz, Mexico after his parents migrated from Cuba and moved to New Orleans in 1969 and considers Louisiana his home state.  He enjoys spending time with his family, business deals, helping others, relaxing on his boats, and history.